McGahee has knee surgery

MIAMI, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- All-American running back Willis McGahee of Miami Sunday underwent surgery to repair three torn ligaments in his left knee.

McGahee, a Heisman Trophy finalist who helped the Hurricanes reach a second straight national championship game, tore ligaments in the fourth quarter of Friday night's 31-24 double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

The procedure was performed by Miami team physician and orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Uribe at HealthSouth Doctors' Hospital in suburban Miami.

"The surgery went very well and Willis tolerated the procedure very well," Uribe said. "If nature does its job and his rehabilitation goes well, he should be able to make a full recovery."

No timetable was given for McGahee's return, but the injury and rehabilitation process definitely will put a hold on his football future. The rehab program will be lengthy, and he could miss part or all of next season. The 2003 campaign begins in just under eight months.

The 6-1, 224-pounder, a third-year sophomore who rushed for 1,686 yards and 27 touchdowns after beginning spring practice behind teammate Frank Gore on the depth chart, suffered his crippling injury less than 3 1/2 minutes into the fourth quarter.

The helmet of Ohio State safety Will Allen collided with McGahee's knee after the tailback caught a swing pass from quarterback Ken Dorsey at the Ohio State 35.

McGahee, who had to be carried off the field in obvious pain, did not return. It was later determined he had torn the ACL, the posterior cruciate, and the MCL.

Ironically, McGahee moved into the starting lineup when Gore suffered torn ligaments in spring practice.

"We're certainly devastated and disappointed about Willis' injury, but we know the kind of person he is and we're sure he'll come back from this," said Miami Coach Larry Coker. "The most important thing for Willis is to be healthy in life, not just for football."

The Miami Herald reported Monday morning that the injury was less serious than expected.

"It's not as serious as they thought it was going to be," McGahee's older half-brother, Eugene Poole, told the paper. "It was not reconstruction of the knee."

McGahee was held to 67 yards on 20 carries by OSU. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this season, and had said on numerous occasions that he likely would declare for the NFL draft, thus foregoing his last two years of college eligibility.

McGahee also was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back.